Summer of My German Soldier

In honor of the holiday, I tried to find a children's book that brought up war as it's main theme. One I've read in the past, despite it's sad theme is "Summer of my German Soldier".
It is the middle of World War two in Arkansas, when a group of German POWs are brought in for a work detail.  Patty Bergen first meets them in her father's store.
An intelligent 12 year old, already ostracized from her family, who favor her younger sister, and the towns people because she is Jewish Patty feels an empathy for the POWs.
She strikes up a friendship with Anton, one of the prisoners. Anton is as different as she. Anton is half English. His father, a German professor, got in trouble when he began to make fun of Hitler. Anton is proud of being a German but not of Hilter. As their frienship develops, Anton gives Patty the self esteem that she lacks. In return, she tries to help him when he escapes from the prison camp.
Unfortunately, Patty never realizes how hiding Anton will change her life.
This is a very intense story. There is a good deal of sadness in it. Patty's father is abusive. Her mother, who favors Patty's little sister denigrates Patty both publicly and privately.
The only people who sincerely care for Patty are flawed in the eyes of society. One is a black woman. She is the family maid  named Ruth. She is the only person who knows of Anton and Patty's secret.  She loves Patty as if she were her own.. Ruth works hard to give Patty self worth.
Patty's other friend is Freddy Dowd, a schoolmate who is a bit slow. Patty's father does not approve of her friendship with Freddy. Twice he beats her because of it.
Because of the sad, burgeoning adult themes, you may not want a child under 12 to read this book.  But it is a good book. One for deep thinkers. I remember when I read it for the first time, the sadness of the story is what hit me at first. But then I realized it was not so much a sad story, as it was a story about growth. A story about rising above what you are born into and being a better person.
It tells of a time when race, religion  and fanaticism predominated common sense. Very much like today.
Memorial Day is a time to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. ?Summer of My German Soldier? reminds us that for a few, the decision of who the enemy is, is not always so clear cut.